Flexible miniature lamp holder and connector



J. B. ATKlNs 3,069,650

FLEXIBLE MINIATURE LAMP HOLDER AND CONNECTOR Dec. 18, 1962 Filed March 5, 1959 United States Patent O Filed Mar. 5, 1959, Ser. No. 797,366 4 Claims. (Cl. 339-59) This invention relates to connector devices, and more particularly to connector devices for connecting miniature electric lamps into an electrical circuit. t

As conducive to a clearer understanding of this invention it is here pointed out that it is common practice to connect a number of electric decorative lamps commonly referred to as fairy lights in series to form a string of lamps which can then be arranged around the object to be decorated. These lamps yare usually connected to a suitable power source by means of a pair of ilexi'bleelectrical wires, each lamp being wired into the circuitby breaking one f the circuit wires at a number of points and at each such point connecting a lamp or a lamp holder to the severed ends of the circuit wires. It is of course important that the connections of the lamps or lamp holders to the circuit wires be properly insulated to prevent short circuiting of the lamps.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a `connector device which enables a quick, neat and positive joint to be made for connecting electric lamps into an electrical circuit and which ensures that each joint is electrically insulated.

l'According to the present invention, a flexible connector for connecting electric lamps into an electric circuit comprises an insulating lamp housing open at one end to receive a lamp and provided with at least two spaced-apart apertures therein and at least two insulating sleeve members each of which extends from one of said apertures away from said housing, wherein each of said sleeve members is adapted to accommodate in electrical contactmaking relationship two electrical conductor wires inserted into said sleeve through opposite ends thereof.

The connector devices according to this invention are particluarly useful in applications where lamps of the sub-miniature baseless type are utilized.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a connector of this character which is sturdy and durable in construction, reliable and eflicient in operation and relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture, assemble and utilize.

Still other objects reside in the combinations of elements, arrangements of parts and features of construction, all of which will be more fully pointed out hereinafter, and disclosed in the accompanying drawing where- FIGURE l is a side sectional view of a connector embodying the instant invention.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 22 of FIGURE l as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows; and

FIGURE 3 is an exploded sectional view showing the parts of FIGURE 1 in a different position of adjustment.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

Referring to the drawings in detail, there is generally indicated at a miniature light bulb of the baseless type which includes a filament 11 which has its ends extended to form contact wires 12.

The connector of the instant invention comprises a cup shaped member 13 from intermediate points of the side walls of which extend integral tubular sleeves 14, the assembly preferably being constructed of suitable flexible insulating material such as rubber. Each 0f the sleeves A14 has a conductive sleeve 15 secured therein, as by fric- 3,069,650 Patented Dec. 18, 1962 ICC tional engagement, each conductive sleeve 15 including a flange 16 interiorly positioned in member 13 to pre` vent dislocation of the sleeves 15.

In the use and operation of the device one end 17 of a conductor is stripped of its insulation 18 and inserted into the open end of each sleeve 15, it being noted that the sleeves 14 extend beyond the ends of sleeves 15 to permit a portion of the insulation 18 to be extended thereinto. The connector is then bent to the position of FIG- URE 3 and the contact wires 12 are inserted into the other ends of sleeves 15 and the natural resiliency -of the device then returns the same to its operative position as shown in FIGURE l, bending the contact wires 12 asY indicated.

It is to be noted that the diameter of sleeves 15 is such as to accommodate wires 12 and 17 in relatively tight frictional engagement so that no other securing means are necessary.

The electrically conductive sleeves 15 may each consist of a hollow metallic tube slit longitudinally. By compressing the sleeve so formed in such manner that the slit is closed the sleeve may be inserted into one of the sleeves 14 whereupon it expands against the inner walls of the sleeve 14 thereby positively locating itself with the sleeve 14.

It will thus be seen that the present invention provides a new and improved holder and connector for baseless type lamps by means of which the exposed wire leads of the lamp may be quickly-and easily connected to a current source and the lamp properly held in place. The resulting electrical connection is one which is completely safe with all current-carrying parts fully insulated yet which will permit quick and easy disassembly and reassembly by simple manipulation of parts to enable lamp replacement when needed.

From the foregoing, it is believed that the construction and advantages of the present invention will be readily understood by those skilled in the art without further description, it being borne in mind that changes may be made in the details of construction disclosed without departing ifrom the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. An electrical connection comprising, in combination, a lamp of the baseless type having a pair of exposed wire leads adapted to be connected to a current source, a body member of insulating material having a flexible cup-shaped central portion providing a cavity for the reception of said lamp and having a pair of flexible tubular sleeve portions disposed on opposite sides, respectively, of said central portions, each of said tubular sleeve portions having a central bore extending longitudinally therethrough and opening at one end in communication with .said cavity to provide an insulated passage for a respective wire lead of said lamp, said tubular sleeve portions normally extending laterally outwardly from opposite sides, respectively, of said central portion whereby said insulated passageways extend substantially normal to the axis of said lamp-receiving cavity, said tubular sleeve portions adapted to be bent downwardly relative to said central portion against the resiliency of said insulating material whereby said insulated passages are brought sub stantially parallel to the axis of said lamp-receiving cavity to permit insertion of the wire leads of said lamp in place in said passages, and separate contact means in the bore of each sleeve portion and connected to a current source for cooperative engagement with a respective wire lead of said lamp, said last named means being constructed and arranged to prevent the collapse of said insulated passages upon movement of said sleeve portions from one position to another.

2. An electrical connection as claimed in claim l wherein each of said contact means comprises a tubular conductor having a `bore opening in communication with said lamp-receiving cavity `for cooperative frictional er1- gagement with a respective wire lead of said lamp.

3. An electrical connection as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said contact means comprises a tubular conductor having one end opening in communication with said lamp-receiving cavity for cooperative frictional engagement with a respective wire lead of said lamp and having its opposite end connected to a wire conductor.

4. An electrical connection as claimed in claim l wherein each of said contact means comprises a tubular conductor having one end opening in communication with said lamp-receiving cavity for cooperative rictional engagement With a respective wire lead of said lamp and having its opposite end spaced inwardly from the outer end of the respectivesleeve portion and connected to a wire conductor, said rst named end of said tubular con- References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,176,456 Ericson Oct. 17, 1939 2,218,545 Morten Oct. 22, 1940 2,296,151 Dover Sept. 15, 1942 2,490,576 Bower et al. Dec. 6, 1949 2,576,363 Rively et a1. Nov. 27, 1951 2,651,025 Elliott Sept. 1, 1953 2,691,092 McConnell et al Oct. 5, 1954 2,712,120 Cochran June 28, 1955 2,715,714 Pavlinetz Aug. 16, 1955 

